Is this similar to the giant skeleton that appeared on the surface last month? I wondered. Come to think of it, that magic circle that flickered into view just a moment ago felt a lot like the one from back then.
"It’s huge. And its fur is so fluffy. It looks like it’d feel great to pet."
Haruto-san muttered the words while looking up at the massive, red-and-black wolf. There wasn't a hint of tension in his voice.
However, his casual atmosphere shifted into something ferocious in the next heartbeat.
"—But I can't stand that color scheme. Go dye your fur and come back later!"
He spat the words out, directing a burning, palpable killing intent toward the wolf. In contrast, Fuuka was cloaked in a cold, sharp aura. It was heartening to see them both so motivated.
I didn't know the true nature of this magic beast, but there was no doubt the cult was behind it. If that was the case, subjugation was our only option.
"This is the perfect opponent to wrap up our month-long expedition. Let’s do this, you two."
"Right." "You got it!"
Perhaps displeased by our attitude, the wolf let out a piercing howl. Mana coalesced around it, and a barrage of countless mana bullets began raining down on us. Each projectile was imbued with an attribute: earth, water, fire, wind, ice, or thunder.
Tch, the distance to Schwarzhase is too far. In that case...!
I had intended to defend against the barrage with my Magic Shield, but since I had extended Schwarzhase as chains to restrain the cult operatives across the room, I couldn't pull it back to my hand instantly.
"Fuuka! Can you cut through this barrage and reach him?"
"I can. But you have to endure for a few seconds. If you do, I can disrupt the flow."
Fuuka likely already saw the opening with her Future Sight.
"Understood. I’m counting on you!"
Once I heard Fuuka’s affirmative "Yeah," I focused entirely on evasion. The density of the barrage increased until the projectiles finally hemmed in Haruto-san and me. The mana bullets exploded on contact, and we were forced to take the impact head-on.
Because the shots had seemingly scored direct hits, a flicker of complacency appeared in the wolf’s stance. It had no idea that Fuuka was waiting for that exact moment of overconfidence.
The instant its offensive slackened, Fuuka closed the distance with Shukuchi. Her katana flashed, slashing across the wolf's right eye.
A sound like a scream echoed through the chamber. I leaped out from the smoke of the explosions, circling toward the wolf's now-blinded right side while closing the distance to Schwarzhase.
The reason I remained unharmed despite the direct hits was an application of Ki. During our journey, I had learned the deeper intricacies of Ki from Haruto-san. One of those lessons involved emitting Ki outside the body. By layering that emitted Ki like a cushion between myself and the explosions, I had been able to negate the damage.
While I could only protect parts of my body this way, Haruto-san—a master of the craft—could shroud his entire form in an invisible suit of armor, covering every direction. I intended to master Ki manipulation on that level eventually.
"—[Sixth Form: Mont Sechs]."
Once I was close enough to retrieve Schwarzhase, I transformed the pitch-black chains into a Magic Bow. I manifested a mass of converged mana and nocked it as an arrow.
In my line of sight, Haruto-san had already leaped above the wolf’s head.
"That’s one annoying scream. Shut up for a second, you damn mutt!"
To buy me the time I needed for my final preparations, he slammed a heel drop into the wolf’s forehead. The wolf braced its legs to keep its face from being driven into the floor, but the massive crater that formed beneath its paws spoke volumes about the sheer power behind Haruto-san’s strike.
As the beast staggered from the heavy blow to its skull, I followed up with my pitch-black arrow.
"—Heavenly Piercer."
The arrow, specialized for penetration, flew in a true line. It tore through the wolf’s right hind leg, then its abdomen, and finally the base of its left front leg. The wolf’s heart lay directly on that trajectory.
With a hit like that, it should have dissolved into black mist. However, even with its heart pierced, the wolf didn't stop. It howled again, and suddenly, explosions and lightning strikes erupted across the entire dome of the innermost area.
"Tch! An indiscriminate attack? It doesn't care if it hits itself!"
Destruction rained down everywhere. Fuuka, with her Future Sight, and I, who could predict attacks through the flow of mana, could manage, but Haruto-san wouldn't be able to dodge this perfectly. Even with his Ki armor, the intensity of these explosions and lightning strikes rivaled special-grade magic.
"—[Fifth Form: Mont Fünf]!"
I rushed to Haruto-san’s side and transformed Schwarzhase into a Magic Shield, protecting us both from the chaotic onslaught.
"My bad. Thanks for the save!" Haruto-san called out from behind me.
"Don't mention it! More importantly, Haruto-san, do you know how to put that thing down for good?"
It was obvious from their behavior that Fuuka and Haruto-san knew things I didn't. I was well aware that information was a "power" that rivaled physical strength. Since we were technically rivals, I didn't begrudge them for keeping secrets; I simply asked while half-expecting him to dodge the question.
"...It’s likely a modified magic beast."
A modified magic beast? Come to think of it, Ozwell mentioned 'reproducing the Black Dragon' back in the Regrif Territory. It wouldn't be strange if the cult had the tech to create artificial beasts.
"But as long as it's a living creature, its weaknesses are the same," Haruto-san continued. "Heart or head. If the heart didn't work, we probably have to crush the skull."
"That makes sense. But if even your earlier blow didn't do it, we'll need something even stronger. As for the preparation time... it looks like Fuuka’s already on it."
While we spoke, Fuuka was closing in to take the wolf's head. The beast was clearly wary of her now; it unleashed a barrage of mana bullets even denser than before. Yet, in a storm of projectiles that I would have found impossible to fully evade, Fuuka danced through them without effort. Not only that, she was even counter-attacking, weaving flying slashes through the gaps in the barrage.
It was a divine feat. I truly felt like I could never best her in combat, but as an ally, she was incredibly reliable.
Gashes began to multiply across the wolf’s hide. While they weren't deep, its hate was now focused entirely on her, giving Haruto-san and me all the freedom we needed.
"—[First Form: Mont Eins]."
While Fuuka and the wolf exchanged blows, I transformed my shield into a Magic Sword and began converging mana into the blade. Beside me, Haruto-san compressed his Ki into his right fist, causing the air around it to shimmer like a desert heat haze.
"Haruto-san, are you ready?"
I brandished my sword. The mana was reaching its limit, and the space around the blade was beginning to distort.
"Yeah, anytime. I’m gonna cave this mutt’s skull in!"
Haruto-san flashed a ferocious grin. Flaunting this much power drew the wolf’s attention back to us, but dividing its focus while facing an overwhelmingly strong opponent like Fuuka was a fatal mistake. Then again, ignoring us wouldn't have been a better choice.
Simply put, the wolf was already in checkmate.
Fuuka didn't miss the split second the wolf’s guard wavered. Her blade stained a deep copper color as she moved. Even with my Ki activated, I couldn't track her. All I saw was the copper-colored arc of her cursed katana as it passed through the wolf's hind leg and abdomen in a flash.
The leg was severed, and a deep, ragged gash was carved into its side. Combined with the damage from my Heavenly Piercer and its own self-inflicted wounds, the wolf was exhausted to the point of collapse.
Still, as long as it breathed, a counter-attack was possible. I couldn't relax until the job was done.
"—Heavenly Flash!!"
I swung, sending a pitch-black slash toward the wolf’s face. The converged mana diffused upon impact, hitting the beast with a massive shockwave. While my attack dealt damage, its primary purpose was to mask the real threat: Haruto-san.
Hidden by the diffusing black mana, Haruto-san closed in.
"Just die, you mutt!"
His fist, shimmering with heat-haze Ki, slammed down onto the wolf’s head. The skull caved in. Blood sprayed from its mouth, ears, and eyes as the beast finally slumped to the floor.
I had already begun constructing a follow-up spell just in case, but the wolf’s body began to dissolve into black mist.
"Man, that was an unexpectedly tough one."
Once the wolf had completely vanished, Haruto-san spoke in his usual casual tone.
"Good work, Fuuka, Haruto-san. Honestly, that thing was as strong as a floor boss from the Great Labyrinth's deep floors. Winning with only this much trouble is a major achievement."
Fuuka's presence had been the deciding factor. From disrupting the initial barrage to managing the beast's hate, we would have both taken massive damage without her. Throughout the fight, she had constantly positioned herself to make it easier for us to move. I honestly suspected that if she had fought it alone, she might have had an even easier time.
There was always someone better. I knew I couldn't slack off if I wanted to catch up to her one day.
With those thoughts in the back of my mind, I walked over to the cult operatives. They were all dead. It was a gruesome sight; their bodies were completely devoid of moisture, mummified and shriveled. The red lines that had extended from them earlier had likely been fueled by their own blood.
They were essentially discarded pawns, sacrificed just to slow us down with that giant wolf. As always, the Cyclamen Cult proved to be a den of irredeemable scum.
"I don't feel sorry for 'em, but what a miserable way to go. They could've at least stayed alive long enough to spit out some info," Haruto-san muttered, looking at the corpses with cold eyes.
"Even if they were alive, I doubt they would have talked willingly," I replied. I constructed a quick spell and incinerated the four corpses.
"Orun, the Labyrinth Core."
Fuuka walked over and handed the core to me.
"Thanks, Fuuka. Well, that’s the end of our expedition. Thank you both. I was only able to finish this conquest so smoothly because you two were here."
I took the core, offering my gratitude as the final words of our journey.
"Don't worry about it," Fuuka said. "This was beneficial for us as well."
"Yeah," Haruto added. "I got a good read on what kind of guy you are, Orun. It was a fruitful trip."
They were being cryptic again. They had made several such remarks throughout the month, and every time I asked, they dodged. I figured they’d do the same now, so I didn't press.
"In that case, let’s head to Daluane to report our success to Princess Lucila."
And so, the journey of our three-person labyrinth conquest party came to its conclusion. I expected that I would soon resume my life as an explorer for the Silver Rabbit of the Night Sky, while Fuuka and Haruto-san returned to the Copper Afterglow in Tsutrail.
At least, that’s what I thought at the time.
In my wildest dreams, I never would have imagined that I would only enter a labyrinth as an explorer one more time.